Jon Yarbrough, founder of Video Gaming Technologies (VGT), built a fortune by transforming a niche market—Class II gaming machines for tribal casinos—into one of the most profitable segments in the gaming industry. Launching VGT in 1991, he focused on underserved Native American casino operators, combining tailored game design with revenue-sharing partnerships that allowed tribal gaming to scale rapidly across the United States. After decades of growth and recurring revenue dominance, Yarbrough sold VGT to Aristocrat Leisure for $1.3 billion, becoming one of America’s wealthiest self-made entrepreneurs. Low-profile and disciplined, he has since expanded into private investments, technology ventures, and philanthropy.

Jim Haslam, founder of Pilot Company, built one of America’s largest fuel, travel center, and logistics businesses from a single gas station he opened in 1958. A former University of Tennessee football standout and U.S. Army officer, Haslam expanded Pilot through disciplined operations, strategic acquisitions, and a relentless focus on serving professional drivers—laying the foundation for what would become a multibillion-dollar national network of travel centers. His leadership shaped the culture and growth of the Haslam family enterprise, while his extensive philanthropy in education, healthcare, and community initiatives established him as one of Tennessee’s most respected civic and business leaders.

Jimmy Haslam, chairman of Pilot Company, has built one of America’s largest privately held businesses in fuel, logistics, and travel centers. Under his leadership, Pilot transformed into a nationwide powerhouse with thousands of locations serving professional drivers and consumers across North America. Haslam is also widely known as co-owner of the Cleveland Browns and the Milwaukee Bucks, where he has applied his competitive, operations-focused leadership style to professional sports. With a portfolio spanning energy, transportation, and major league franchises, Haslam remains a prominent and influential figure in both American business and sports.

Forrest Lee Preston, a self-made billionaire, founded Life Care Centers of America in 1970 and built it from a single facility in Cleveland, Tennessee, into one of the nation’s largest privately held networks of nursing homes, assisted-living, and retirement communities. As sole owner and CEO, he has overseen more than 200 locations across 27 states, employing over 30,000 people and serving tens of thousands of residents. Known for his hands-on control and aggressive expansion, Preston has navigated regulatory challenges and industry upheavals, cementing his reputation as a dominant force in the senior-care sector.

Dean Solon is a self‑made billionaire and founder of Shoals Technologies Group, a leading provider of electrical balance-of-systems gear for solar farms. He took Shoals public in January 2021 and still owns about 40% of the company. Despite the IPO windfall, Solon remains hands‑on—recently launching Create Energy, a vertically integrated solar manufacturing venture aimed at reshaping the industry with U.S.-based production. 

David Katzman is the American entrepreneur and venture capitalist behind Camelot Venture Group, and serves as CEO and Chairman of SmileDirectClub. He built Camelot by backing consumer-led disruptors—from Quicken Loans and RealAge to 1‑800‑Contacts and Fathead—and oversaw the Cavaliers business through his vice chair role. Katzman holds a ~10 % stake in SmileDirectClub and maintains a legacy of retail, tech, and sports investing.

Charlie Ergen is the co‑founder and chairman of Dish Network and EchoStar. After launching the business in 1980 with just $60,000 and satellite dishes from the back of a truck, he built a telecommunications empire. Known for his frugality, poker ethos, and bold bids for wireless spectrum, Ergen now oversees major satellite, broadband, and wireless initiatives. He has climbed Everest, supports mountain-climbing causes, and continues to wield outsized influence in media and telecom. 

Cal Turner Jr. is the pioneering retail executive and philanthropist who transformed Dollar General into a national discount powerhouse. After joining the family business in 1965 and rising from warehouse sweeper to CEO, he expanded the chain from 150 stores to over 6,000, achieving more than $6 billion in annual revenue before retiring in 2003. His leadership was rooted in small‑town values, faith, and a mission to serve working-class communities.

Brad M. Kelley is an American self-made billionaire, best known for founding Commonwealth Brands in 1991 and selling it in 2001 for $1 billion. After building a tobacco empire, he reinvested his wealth by assembling over 1 million acres of land across Texas, Florida, and New Mexico—making him one of the top private landowners in the U.S. His portfolio includes iconic assets like Calumet Farm, horseback racing interests, and media holdings such as Lonely Planet. He’s also a passionate conservationist and philanthropist

Bill Haslam is an American billionaire businessman and politician, best known as the 49th governor of Tennessee (2011–2019) and former mayor of Knoxville. A graduate of Emory University, he led the family’s Pilot travel-center empire—selling a majority stake to Berkshire Hathaway—and championed education reforms and economic growth in Tennessee.

Thomas Frist Jr. is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the world's largest private hospital operator. His business acumen and philanthropic efforts have left a significant mark on the healthcare industry and beyond.